Coupling gauging machine



Nov., 6, 1934. A. BURGE ET AL COUPLING GAUGING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 6, 1934. A, BURGE ET AL 1,979,731

COUPLING GAUGING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV. 6, 1934. A, BURGE Er AL 1,979,731

COUPLING GAUGING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1953 4 SheetSvSheet 5 HUP/QED .5U/56E ma f4/755 7 SHELTO/V.

@M may NOV. 6, 1934. A BURGE Er AL 1,979,731

COUPLING GAUGING MACHINE Filed June 5,v 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIV/ FEED BURC-i5 aad JHM/S5 7. SHELTON Patented Nov. 6A, 1934 UNITED STATES COUPLING GAUGING MACHINE y Alfred Burge, Gary, Ind., and James T. Shelton, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to National Tube Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 5, 1933, Serial N0. 674,426

Claims.

This invention is a coupling gauging machine which automatically applies a conventional thread-gauge to the couplings being tested, without injuring their threads or unduly wear- 5 ing the gauge. Also, the machine enables a greater output of gauged couplings than the use of the ordinary hand methods permit.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the machine, the various figures being as follows:

Figure 1 is a side elevation which is partially cross-sectional.

Figure 2 is an end elevation.

Figure 3 is a top plan.

Figure 4 is atop plan showing the vise for l5 holding the coupling to be tested.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-section of Figure 4 taken from the line V-V.

Figure 6 shows a wiring diagram of a circuit suitable for controlling a machine.

Referring to these drawings, a frame 1 reciprocatively mounts a vertical shaft 2 to which a motor 3 is connected by a worm 4 and a worm gear 5, the vertical shaft being keyed to the latter as at 2a, so that it may reciprocate.

A lever 6 is connected to the shaft 2 so as to reciprocate the same and turns a shaft 7 which is pivotally secured to the frame 1. The lever extends beyond this shaft towards the frame and is connected to a counterweight 8 whereby the reciprocative shaft 2 is urged upwardly. The levers free or outer end is shaped to provide a hand hold for the machines operator. Its connection with the shaft 2 is made in a way permitting the latters rotation.

The frame 1 rotatably carries a horizontal table 9 in registration vwith and beneath the shaft 2. This table 9 is marked with circular graduations 10 and has three equally spaced radial recesses or guideways 11. Mountings 12 slide in two of these recesses and carry visejaws 13 which upstand respecting the tables top. These mountings 12 are each engaged by a threaded shaft 14 whereby the positions of the jaws 13 may be adjusted.

A mounting 15 slides in the third recess, which faces the operator and differs from the others in that it pivotally carries a vise-jaw 16 which may swing from a lowered to an upstanding position respecting the table top and opposing the other two vise-jaws. This mounting l5 is also engaged by a threaded shaft 14 which operates the same and is for the same purpose as was mentioned in connection with the mountings 12. The pivotal jaw 16 is connected by a link 17 to a shaft 18 having cam grooves 19 engaging xed pins 20. The outer end of the shaft 18` carries a hand-crank 21. Rotation of this crank quickly swings the pivotal jaw 16.

By means of the circular graduations l0,

00 proper adjustment of all three vise-jaws may be made in accordance with the size coupling to be gauged. The spacing of the two fixed jaws enables the operator to slide a coupling over the table and laterally into engagement therewith, whereupon he operates the hand-crank 21 and the coupling is securely held.

The shaft 2 mounts the thread-gauge 22 and, as this shaft and the table 9 register, this gauge and a coupling held by the vise-jaws forming a part of this table also register. Downward movement of the lever 6 brings the gauge into engagement with the coupling on the table 9.

Now. the shaft 7, which is turned by this lever 6, connects directly to an electric switch 23. 'I'his switch is of the ordinary drum-type limit `switch procurable on the open market. Also, the lever 6 carries a switch 24 which is operated by a thumb lever 25 located near its free end. This switch is likewise of a commercial type.

As stated, the table 9 is rotative. To prevent it from turning when the gauge -22 enters a coupling, it is tangentially connected to a weight 26 by means of a cable 27 passing over a pulley 28. Thus, the table is held against turning until a sufficient torque, determined by the weight 26, results from the entrance of the gauge into the coupling. Then, of course, the table will turn. Normally, a projection 9n on the table engages the lever of an ordinary limit switch 29, and' rotation of the table therefore operates the switch. This projection 9a incidentally connects the cable 27 to the table. A stop 9b limits rotas tive movement of the table 9.

From the above it will be seen that there are three switches, numbered 23, 24 and 29. The switch 23 is a drum-type operated by the reciprocation of the shaft 2 and gauge 22, the switch 24 is a simple switch operating to close a circuit when the thumb lever 25 is depressed, and the switch 29 is a limit switch which is operated by rotation of the table 9.

One of the features of the invention is that these switches are properly arranged in circuit with the motor 3 so that the operator may start the motor by use of the thumb lever 2,5. The lever 6 serves to bring the threads on the gauge 22 into engagement with those of coupling to be tested. Then, the drum switch 23 functions to control the speed of the motor 3 according to the reciprocation of the gauge 22. This speed is effected so .that the motor operates at a high speed until the thread gauge approaches the probable limits of the threads in the coupling, whereupon the motor operates at a slow speed so that possibility of vany damage is lessened. When the gauge is threaded into the coupling sufliciently tightly to turn the table 9, the limit switch 29 is operated. This last switch is arranged in circuit with the motor 3 to effect its reversal and the consquent withdrawal of the gauge. When the gauge is raised slightly the drum type switch 23 again operates to return the motor 3 to full speed so that the gauge is rapidly withdrawn. When the gauge leaves the coupling the weight 26 returns the table 9 to its normal position.

The wiring diagram shows a circuit which effects the above operations. 'I'he armature 3B of the motor 3 is connected togthe power lines 30 and 31. When the operator is ready to gauge a coupling he pulls down the lever 6 which turns the shaft 7 and causes the drum-type switch 23 to close a circuit from the line by way of the contacts 23B. As the thread gauge touches the coupling he presses the thumb lever 25 which closes the switch 24 and energizes the solenoids 32 and 33 lwhich close the contacts 32a and 33, so that vthe motor operates at full speed and the gauge begins its threaded entrance into the coupling.

As the gauge descends the switch 23 closes its contacts .23h so that the solenoid 34 is energized which closes the contacts 34 and thus cuts a resistance 35 out of the shunt field 3b of the motor 3. This causes the motor to slow down and prevents possible damage. Ordinarily this occurs when the gauge is within four threads of the desired distance.

Upon the gauge tightening in the coupling, the table 9 rotates and the switch 29 is operated. This switch opens contacts 29, which deenergize the solenoids 32 and 33, and simultaneously closes contacts 29D, which energize the solenoids 35 and 36. These solenoids close contacts 35a and 36* so that the motor is reversed. Then, as the gauge raises, the switch 23 is operated so that its contacts 23b open, the resistance 35 is replaced in the motors shunt field 3b, and the motor accordingly speeded up. As soon as the gauge has threaded itself from the coupling the weight 8 throws the lever 6 upwardly and consequently the gauge itself, this causing the contacts 23* of the switch 23 to open and stop the motor.

During operations the circuit through the thumb switch 24 is maintained by an interlock comprising contacts 32 which are operated by the solenoid 32. During the reverse motion this interlock is effected by contacts 35b operated by the solenoid 35 and which energize a solenoid 37 which closes contacts 3'7a and 37b. A solenoid 38fcontrols contacts 38a to afford undervoltage protection. The manually operated switch 39 shown in-the diagram. affords a control to interrupt the ordinary sequence of operations. This is not described specifically because it does not form an important part of the invention.

The gauges entrance into the coupling is an indication of the accuracy of the threads of the latter. So the gauge is provided with a collar 22* which is engaged by one end of a bell-crank 22b held thereagainst by a spring 22C. The other end of this bell-crank bears against a graduated slide 22d, which cooperates with a fixed index 22=, by which measurements of the gauges movement may be made.

Although a specific form of this invention is disclosed in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that it is not limited thereto, except as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A coupling gauging machine including the combination of a rotative and reciprocative thread-gauge, a motor for rotating said gauge, means for reciprocating said gauge, a rotative vise for holding a coupling in registration with said gauge, means for holding said vise against rotation until a determined torque results from the entrance o! said gauge into a coupling held thereby and means operable by rotation of said vise for reversing said motor.

2. A coupling gauging machine including the combination of a rotative and reciprocative thread-gauge, a motor for rotating said gauge, means for reciprocating said gauge and a vise for holding a coupling in registration with said gauge, said vise including a table, a plurality of fixed jaws upstanding from said table, there being at least one recess in said table, a jaw pivotally arranged in said recess to swing to an upstanding position respecting said table and means for swinging said pivotal jaw, said fixed jaws being spaced for the lateral reception of a coupling when said pivotal jaw is in said recess.

3. A coupling gauging machine including the combination of a rotative and vertically reciprocative thread-gauge, a motor for rotating said gauge, means for reciprocating said gauge and a vise for holding a coupling beneath said gauge and in registration therewith, said vise comprising a horizontal table marked with circular graduations, jaws upstanding from said table which are circumferentially spaced and radially adjustable respecting said graduations, there being a recess in said table which is circumferentially spaced from said jaws respecting said graduations, a jaw pivotally arranged in said rerotation until adetermined torque results from the entrance of said gauge into a coupling held thereby, means operable by reciprocation of said gauge for controlling the speed of said motor and means operable by rotation of said vise for reversing said motor.

5. A coupling gauging machine including the combination of a frame, a vertical shaft reciprocatively mounted by said frame, a thread-gauge carried by said shaft, a motor geared to said shaft, a lever connected to said shaft so as to reciprocate the same, a shaft turned by said lever, a switch operated by said latter shaft, a horizontal table rotatively mounted by said frame in registration with and beneath said reciprocative shaft and said gauge, resilient means for restraining the rotation of said table, upstanding vise jaws iixed to said table for the lateral reception of a coupling, a recess in said table, a vise jaw pivotally mounted in said recess to swing to an upstanding position respecting said table and opposing said fixed vise jaws, means for swinging said pivotal vise jaw, means operated, by said switch for controlling the speed of said motor, means operated by rotation of said table for reversing said motor and means for measuring the reciprocative movement of said gauge. l

ALFRED BURGE. JAMES T. SHELTON. 

